Disclaimer: I do not own the Gundam boys, nor am I making any money from this. The idea of a Confessor is from Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth Novels. I am using it without permission. Warnings: AU, shounen-ai Pairings: 1+2 3+4 The Confessor Series Part 4 Heero had never once failed a mission. Never. He would walk through all seven hells, fight any sort of monster or submit himself and his men to every torture imaginable to ensure that the mission would succeed. But now, now was afraid that he would fail. He was supposed to bring back his prisoner alive, but now he was not sure he could do that. Because he was going to throttle a certain longhaired confessor with his bare hands. It started the very first morning. Heero had middle watch and everything was fine when he shut his eyes. When the sun rose however, the confessor was gone. Wufei, who had last watch, had not seen it leave. Trowa, who had tied it up insisted the knots had been tight. Heero gritted his teeth and glared in frustration. It couldn't have just vanished! They were just scrambling to break camp and begin pursuit when a cheerful voice hailed them from the top of one sheer cliff. They looked up stunned at the black-clad figure waving at them then began to climb down the cliff. Well, not climb, more like skip happily as if strolling down a garden trail. It took a few minutes to get down to the bottom. By then they all were clustered around the base with weapons drawn and faces grim. Except for Quatre. He was having a hard time suppressing a grin. "Good morning! The sunrise was beautiful, I'm sorry you missed it. Is there anything for breakfast? Is there water around here? I would really like to clean up. It sure is dusty around here, isn't it? Where are we going today anyway?" Duo chattered on without pausing for breath, blithely unaware of the glaring going on behind his back as he bounced back to the camp. The others hurried after him, only to crash into each other in a hasty attempt to avoid colliding with him as he swung around unexpectedly. "Say, I have an idea. The fishing up at Chisago Lake is supposed to be really good this time of year. Do you want to go?" Duo looked as eager as kid at a party. Surprisingly, the idea appealed to Trowa, Quatre and Wufei and they actually looked at Heero to see if he was game for a fishing trip. It took all of his legendary self-control not to scream. "No!" Heero said with force. That brought the others back to reality. They looked sheepish, but Duo wasn't fazed in the slightest. "So what are we going to do today, Captain Heero?" Duo focused his wide-eyed gaze on Heero. With a start of surprise, Heero saw that the confessor's eyes were purple. With an effort he tore his eyes away from that compelling gaze. "We are going back to Oz." "Oz? Really?" Duo decided to test his new comrades to see if they were serious about making him go with them. "That's pretty far isn't it? You know, come to think of it, I'll just be on my way now. I'm sure you guys are really busy and probably don't want me hanging around. Thanks for taking care of me last night." He turned to and started to walk away. The next thing he knew he was on his butt staring up into a pair of upside-down angry cobalt eyes. Heero dropped his braid and ground out. "You are coming with us." He tried to grin even though his hair ached with all the yanking. "Sure, Heero. Since you asked so nicely I'll be more than happy to go with you guys to Oz. Sure, no problem." He watched to see if his sarcasm had any effect on the taciturn captain. Nope, none at all, he decided. It didn't take long for them to break camp. Soon all the horses were saddled and the gear was stowed. Then they all stood around looking at each other. Who was going to ride double? Truth is told, none of them felt comfortable at the thought of riding with the confessor. Duo seemed confused as he looked from one to the next. "What's wrong?" "We're not sure how we are going to do this." Quatre explained. "Do what?" Duo asked innocently. "Ride double, of course." Wufei snapped irritably. The thought of that creature riding his beloved Shenlong was more than he could bear, but he couldn't say no to a direct order. "Why would you want to ride double when each of you has a horse?" Duo couldn't help it. It was too much fun. "With you, you twit! Some one has to share a horse with you!" Wufei roared in anger. "Me?" Duo squeaked. Then he laughed. "No need! Shinigami!" he hollered. "Get over here!" A shadow detached itself from a nearby wall and pranced over. It resolved itself into a sleek black mare. She stopped in front of Duo and nuzzled him gently. The others were staring. Even Trowa hadn't known she was there. Was there no end to the surprises this creature was subjecting them too? Heero felt he was in for a long three weeks. Duo laughed and hugged the mare's neck. Cooing to her, he rubbed her neck then grabbed her mane and vaulted on her bareback. "Well, are we going or you planning on standing around here all day?" He grinned wickedly and the mare set off at a canter. Leaving the others scrambling to catch up. Damn him! Heero thought as Wing leapt into a gallop to catch up to the shadowmare. This creature was getting under his skin no matter how hard he tried to ignore him. After the morning's rocky start, though the rest of the day went fairly smoothly. They made good time, Duo's shadowmare easily keeping up with the battle hardened warhorses. He chattered continuously with the soldiers. Mostly to Quatre, but he took time to tease Wufei and just had to inquire about Trowa's hair. Quatre was glad there was someone to talk to, and he took advantage of Duo's open nature to educate himself further on confessor lore. "Why the hair?" He asked the braided boy. "You mean, why do confessors have such long hair?" Duo returned, wanting to clarify the conversation. He noticed that the others were stationed within earshot, each trying to listen in without seeming to. He grinned to himself. "Yes," Quatre nodded. "We can't cut it. I tried once or twice before. The pain was so great I passed out before I got through five hairs." Duo stated matter-of-factly. "Can others cut it for you?" Trowa asked coming up on the other side of Quatre. "Yes, my foster mother used to cut it, but I was sick for days afterwards, I could hardly get up. That was an experience I did not want to repeat." Duo shrugged. "Luckily it seems to have stopped growing. Otherwise I'd hardly be able to lift my head up. It is very annoying though. I may as well wave a banner that says 'hey I'm a confessor.'" Heero listened intently a short distance away. He could still feel the silkiness in his hand from where he had grabbed it that morning. Irritated, he shook his head to dismiss the feeling. The next surprise came that night after they made camp. Quatre and Trowa had heard a strange little tune at an inn a few weeks ago and were trying to learn it. Quatre had a small lute and Trowa had his wooden flute. They would often play at night before dropping off to sleep. Heero and Wufei didn't mind the music. But this tune was driving them nuts, because neither of the musicians really knew it so they would go over and over it until all of them would be humming the haunting tune that was stuck in their heads. That night started the same way. Getting out their instruments, they began to play various songs, until that one came up. Wufei heard the first few notes and fled for the trees. Heero gritted his teeth and tried to concentrate on sharpening his already razor-edged sword. Duo sat up from where he had been longing against the side of a tree and sidled over. They played through the song, this time actually getting it right. Heero had just heaved a sigh of relief when Duo spoke up. "Play it again." Trowa and Quatre looked surprised, but were all too willing to comply. This time however, Duo sang along. Duo sang of sadness, and the turning of the seasons He sang of never-ending fear He sang of escaped dreams and forgotten hopes He sang of need and friendship He sang of uncertain journey and the reason why He sang of innocence and beauty He sang of promises of the future and a blessing for today Both Quatre and Trowa played on, and Heero and Wufei who had come back at the sound of the confessor's voice, listened spellbound. Duo had closed his eyes, unaware of the wondering eyes on him. He took a breath and sang the next verse. Duo sang of crumbling cities and falling towers He sang of a fading sun and bitter cold He sang of a prophesy of a journey to the mountains He sang of comfort and freedom At the end of the song, Quatre and Trowa let the last notes fade into the dark. There was complete silence as if the night itself was under the confessor's spell. Then Duo opened his eyes and saw them staring at him. He grinned self-consciously. "How did you know that song?" Quatre asked quietly. He had inquired at the inn, but no one knew the words, just a melody. " It's an old confessor's song. I learned from the journals my mother left for me, but I had never sung it until now. I hope you don't mind." He said anxiously. "Good gracious, not at all! That was beautiful! Will you sing again for us sometime?" Quatre asked and Trowa nodded vigorously. "Sure, umm, I'm going to go get some water. I'll be right back." His voice oddly choked, Duo rose to his feet and faded into the night. Wufei and Heero exchanged glances and then Heero too got up and follow a short distance behind the confessor. When they were gone, Quatre, Trowa and Wufei looked at each other, each knowing that something was happening between those two, but unsure of whether it was a good thing or bad. Duo wasn't sure why he had run out so abruptly on the soldiers. He wasn't used to compliments or feeling like he belonged. He had done terrible things in his past and didn't deserve this kindness. He toyed with the idea of calling the shadowmare and running like hell. These feelings were too good and they scared him. He knelt at a small stream and cupped his hands in the cold clear water. He brought them up to his face and held the water against his cheeks. He repeated this until he was able to control the raging emotions within him. "They are soldiers. They want to use you. You don't mean anything to them. You aren't even human to them. You are a confessor. You are a male confessor. You are something that is not allowed to exist. Stop feeling." He wished for the umpteenth time he could use his power on himself, to command himself not to feel the loneliness, the guilt or the pain that was tearing him up inside. He repeated the litany over and over. Finally he set back on his heels and looked up at the two moons shining overhead. Nearby, Heero had heard everything harshly whispered word.